Family of Slain Journalist Arshad Sharif Urges Pakistan’s Top Court to Keep Murder Inquiry Alive

January 30, 2026 – Pakistan –

The family of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif has appealed to the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to continue its suo motu proceedings aimed at securing an independent and transparent investigation into his murder, rejecting hints that the court might close the case after more than three years of unresolved inquiries. Sharif was shot and killed by Kenyan police on October 23, 2022, on the outskirts of Nairobi, where he had been living after leaving Pakistan amid multiple sedition cases.

In a three-page application submitted on January 28, 2026, his widow, Somiya Arshad, urged the FCC to order the formation of a comprehensive judicial commission with international observers to probe all aspects of the killing. Her appeal highlights several unresolved questions, including pre-murder threats against Sharif, coordinated FIRs tied to the case, identities of nominated accused persons, institutional links, and any transnational involvement that may have played a role in the incident.

Sharif’s family also requested that the FCC direct authorities to share the Special Joint Investigation Team (SJIT) report — compiled by a government-appointed team tasked with probing the murder — along with all related investigative documents. The widow’s petition further asked the court to summon and question nine individuals named by Sharif’s late mother in a fact-finding report, as well as relevant officials identified in the investigation. Additionally, the application called for sealing and confiscating properties linked to the prime accused and expedited action under the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) agreement recently signed between Pakistan and Kenya, which supporters say could facilitate cross-border legal cooperation.

The FCC had earlier indicated it might close the suo motu proceedings, noting that Pakistan and Kenya signed an MLA agreement in September 2025, and suggesting that prior facilitation had yielded results. However, the court’s hint at possible closure prompted strong objections from the Sharif family. The journalist’s death remains a focal point for critics of state impunity, and the family insists that independent oversight — including international observers — is necessary to ensure accountability and transparency in the investigation.

Sharif was a prominent television journalist known for his critical reporting on political and security issues. His murder in Kenya, where police shot his vehicle as he was driving near Nairobi, has drawn sustained public scrutiny and legal challenges in Pakistan. The ongoing legal debate before the FCC reflects broader concerns about justice and press freedom in cases involving journalists targeted for their work.

Reference –

https://www.dawn.com/news/1969623

Family of slain journalist Arshad Sharif urges FCC not to close murder inquiry